Chapter 174
“Will it be alright?”
Inside the Peng Family Head’s Office.
Jigeom, Commander of the Black Dragon Unit, the Family Head’s direct bodyguard corps, spoke with a slightly worried expression. He had just returned from a mission guarding Yul. Usually, after returning from a mission, he would quietly resume his regular duties, but seeing him act so uncharacteristically showed how concerned he truly was.
As if knowing Jigeom’s concerns, Peng Mugang instead threw out a joke.
“Did you want to do it more?”
“Well, of course…”
“Hm?”
Jigeom, who should have naturally replied, “That’s not it. Serving the Patriarch is my top priority,” instead nodded his head, leaving Peng Mugang with a blank expression. He certainly wasn’t this kind of man. Ha ha. It seemed he had quite enjoyed the time spent protecting Yul. Even so, seeing the usually stoic Jigeom react this way made Peng Mugang let out a hollow laugh.
Well, it’s Yul we’re talking about. It makes sense.
It was good to have the cutest and most lovable granddaughter in the world, but Peng Mugang felt increasingly uneasy as the number of rivals seemed to grow.
Hwangbo Gyun was a prime example. This time, he had been away from his clan for a long time and had many preparations for the Great Heaven Alliance’s inauguration ceremony, which was why he had obediently returned to the Hwangbo Clan. Otherwise, he might have just settled down in the Peng Family again. Thinking about it, Peng Mugang suspected Hwangbo Gyun hadn’t come to help the Peng Family, but rather to save Yul.
And what about Gu Wang-pyo? He seemed to be visiting Yul whenever he had a spare moment, despite being incredibly busy these days. Come to think of it, it had been a long time since the Commander of the Martial Force Unit, who represented the Peng Family, had come to see the Family Head. Of course, after becoming a rival for his granddaughter’s favorite grandfather spot, Peng Mugang wouldn’t have been happy even if Gu Wang-pyo had come to check on him, but he still felt a strange twist in his gut.
A plot to create the most arduous mission possible and send him away for several months popped involuntarily into his head. Such was the terrifying nature of a grandfather’s love.
Hmm. I can’t exactly raise her somewhere no one can see her, can I?
As Peng Mugang suffered in these useless musings, he noticed Jigeom still wearing a worried expression. Worry. It was understandable. Aside from Yul’s cuteness, Peng Mugang, as the Family Head, had initially entrusted Jigeom with her protection out of concern for his granddaughter’s safety in case of unforeseen circumstances. Yet, at a time when terrifying events were occurring relentlessly, it seemed insufficient to even increase his granddaughter’s guard, let alone replace him with a young woman he had never seen before. Moreover, from what he had briefly observed, her Martial Arts didn’t seem particularly profound.
He won’t understand. Even I can’t perceive her depth.
Reading Jigeom’s thoughts, Peng Mugang grinned.
“There’s no need to worry so much. Unless a natural disaster strikes, Yul’s safety will hardly be a concern from now on.”
“Excuse me? What do you mean by…”
But Peng Mugang offered no further explanation, merely maintaining a strange smile.
Indeed. It’s more than enough. What kind of person would employ such a Master as a Bodyguard Martial Artist in this world?
A woman with an expressionless face introduced herself to Peng Seo-yeon. “Hello. My name is Hongyeon.”
“Nice to meet you. I’ve heard a lot about you.”
Hongyeon was none other than Jujak, one of the Demonic Heavenly Cult’s Four Great Protectors, the strongest among them. She now joined the Peng Family under the new identity of Hongyeon. It was Yeo Un-hwi’s judgment that it would be best to guard Yul freely and closely, rather than in a hidden, stealthy state. Thus, he brought Jujak in as a new Warrior of the Peng Family with his father-in-law’s permission.
The name Hongyeon was her name before she took on the name Jujak. No one knew that fact anymore, except for the other Four Great Protectors and the Divine Maiden.
Having already been informed of the situation, Peng Seo-yeon smiled warmly at Jujak, now Hongyeon.
“Please take good care of my daughter from now on.”
“I will serve her to the best of my ability.”
“There’s no need to 'serve' her. Just having you always by her side is reassuring enough.”
Haha. Yeo Un-hwi was once again struck by how remarkable his wife was. Not long after he had revealed all his secrets - the fact that he was the Successor of the Martial God and the unbelievable truth of his Regression from the future to the past - he had single-handedly stormed the Demonic Cult, crushed everything, and returned wearing the mantle of the Heavenly Demon. Yet, his wife, upon hearing this story, merely showed a fleeting look of surprise before displaying no further reaction. Moreover, she had readily nodded when Yeo Un-hwi suggested entrusting Yul’s protection to one of the Four Great Protectors, said to be the strongest masters of the Demonic Heavenly Cult.
“Are you alright? Aren’t you worried? And you don’t seem very surprised that I’ve become the Heavenly Demon?”
Yeo Un-hwi asked in return, taken aback by his wife’s overly compliant reaction.
Peng Seo-yeon let out a small laugh at Yeo Un-hwi’s question.
“I’ve already been surprised enough. What’s so amazing about a husband who is the Successor of the Martial God and has even undergone Regression now becoming the Heavenly Demon? You’re not running wild with bloodlust; you’re still yourself.”
“Well, that’s true, but…”
“Besides, that bodyguard is from the Demonic Heavenly Cult, right? Would someone from the Demonic Heavenly Cult do anything to harm the Heavenly Demon? I hear they’ve waited their entire lives for the Heavenly Demon. To them, you’re probably a god, aren’t you?”
Hearing her words, Yeo Un-hwi realized each one made perfect sense. In fact, her logic was so sound that it left Yeo Un-hwi flustered.
Thus, even as they exchanged greetings, Peng Seo-yeon accepted Jujak quite naturally. She was his wife, but one might say she had a truly broad mind.
In the meantime,
This is the Heavenly Demon Lord’s wife. Indeed, she was noble and exceedingly beautiful.
She herself was not one to be outdone in appearance anywhere. No, she was rather considered a great beauty. Because of her looks, she often found herself entangled in unnecessary troubles, which was why she frequently wore disguises.
Yet, even to her eyes, Peng Seo-yeon was an incredibly radiant person. Upon closer inspection, it wasn’t merely due to her beautiful appearance. It was clearly a charm emanating from Peng Seo-yeon herself. She would undoubtedly have been a dazzling person, no matter what face she possessed.
Just then.
Poke. Poke.
Something gently poked Jujak’s hand. Naturally, Jujak’s gaze drifted downwards.
There, a little girl, looking exactly like Peng Seo-yeon and Yeo Un-hwi, was gazing up at her.
“Heh. Hello! I’m Yul-i. Nice to meet you!”
Yul-i smiled brightly at Jujak, whose eyes met hers.
A faint blush rose on Jujak’s expressionless face as she quietly looked down at Yul-i.
What is this…? This is an adorable creature.
It was, indeed, the moment yet another person fell for Yul-i.
On a bright, clear day. The Current Martial World’s strongest Bodyguard Martial Artist was born, not as a guard for the reigning emperor, but for a cute and lovable little girl who was still attending a village school.
Suddenly, a new figure became the Bodyguard Martial Artist for the Peng Family, specifically for the Family Head’s granddaughter. Normally, this would have drawn considerable glares, if not outright fierce opposition. But this time, it was different.
On that day, the day the Demonic Cult stormed the Peng Family and everyone was in crisis. Even with the help of the Five Great Families and the Hao Sect, when Peng Mugang, the Family Head, faced death at the critical moment. Everyone clearly witnessed the true identity and power of Yeo Un-hwi - the Peng Family’s Son-in-law, the Scholar Bastard, the Jogging Ghost, and the one they thought was merely lucky to hold the position of White Wolf Unit Commander.
A shiver ran through their entire bodies. They had never seen anything like it in their lives.
And in that impossibly horrific moment, a completely unfitting thought suddenly arose: Perhaps the Peng Family might become the World’s Number One Family of this era.
Afterward, the family kept a tight lid on the matter, doing their best not to spread it outside. However, a great sense of pride and boastfulness had taken root in their hearts: the pride that a Martial God resided right here in the Peng Family.
“Hello, Commander!”
“Commander, where are you headed?”
“Thank you, Commander. Just, thank you.”
Thanks to the Peng Family members, who all rushed to greet him whenever they saw him, Yeo Un-hwi let out a hollow laugh. It felt like only yesterday he was mocked as a Scholar Bastard, and now he receives such treatment.
Of course, their reactions at the time were not unreasonable. Even if it was love, when Peng Seo-yeon had disappeared with Yeo Un-hwi, the Peng Family had suddenly become the laughingstock of the Murim. And when they brazenly returned years later, Yeo Un-hwi must have seemed nothing more than a scoundrel in everyone’s eyes, trying to use Peng Seo-yeon to live a life of luxury in the Peng Family.
Such being the case, how could they possibly view Yeo Un-hwi favorably? Thus, Yeo Un-hwi then remained silent, pretending not to notice whatever treatment he received.
Yet, as time passed, the arrival of such a day gave him a truly strange feeling. Still, there was no need to say that this was better than being hated.
However, just yesterday, No Il-bong had come to him, weeping and wailing, asking how he could have done such a thing. He was the one who had given Yeo Un-hwi the nickname Jogging Ghost and was Yeo Un-hwi’s nominal master, having taught him the Peng Family’s Martial Arts. Of course, he had done so believing his opponent knew nothing of Martial Arts, but upon realizing that opponent was a Martial God, he felt like crawling into a mouse hole.
So, after agonizing for several days, he had come after having a drink. Yeo Un-hwi, though he hadn’t intended it, felt as if he had played a mischievous trick and apologized. At that, the now-drunk No Il-bong grinned sheepishly and left. Yeo Un-hwi thought he was truly a simple man.
It was even more apparent to see him scurrying away today, regretting his actions from yesterday.
But anyway, the Peng Family soon found peace, as if they had never experienced war.
However, there was still much to do. Most importantly, they had to prepare well for the Great Heaven Alliance’s inauguration ceremony. It would become a fence protecting not only the Peng Family but also those who had risked their lives for the family.
Thus, the Peng Family remained busy throughout the day.
And around that time,
“Aaaah! Finally! We’re baaaack!”
They had finally returned. Audible from the entrance, their boisterous shouts of joy at the sight of the intact Peng Family drew everyone outside. Everyone knew who it was without even looking. Only the White Wolf Unit could be so loud in the Peng Family.
Peng Mugang, Peng Seo-jin, and Yeo Un-hwi all went out to greet them with welcoming faces.
But then,
“…Oh? What brings you here?”
It wasn’t just the White Wolf Unit that had arrived at the Peng Family. An old man with an extraordinary Internal Energy/Aura dismounted from a Black Demon, letting out a hearty laugh.
“Haha. Well, I came because I wanted to see you. And to help if there’s anything I can do. My heart wasn’t at ease after sending off my Benefactor like that. But why the long face? Did I come somewhere I shouldn’t have?”
Yes. Absolutely.
It’s troublesome when the Demonic Alliance Leader just pops up like this.
This is an Orthodox Faction Prestigious Family, after all.
Suddenly, Black Emperor Dokgo Yeong, the master of the Demonic Alliance, arrived at the Peng Family.